RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Newly released video footage obtained through a public records request shows a San Francisco Municipal Railway operator appearing to fall asleep at the controls seconds before crashing into another Muni train, an incident transit officials attribute to operator fatigue.
The collision occurred around 8:30 a.m. on July 31 near 47th Avenue and Wawona Street in the Outer Parkside neighborhood. Onboard camera footage shows the operator nodding off while the train moves down the track. He wakes up moments later, looks ahead, realizes the train in front of him is too close, and braces for impact.
The crash shattered the train’s front windshield. Two passengers were on board at the time, and no injuries were reported.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency said its initial investigation ruled out equipment failure or infrastructure problems, pointing instead to operator fatigue as the cause.
“It definitely concerns me as a rider,” said Muni passenger Peter Dignadice. “When drivers have to run these tight shifts… I can see them getting tired and this being an issue.”
The incident marks the second time in less than a year that a Muni operator has been captured on camera apparently dozing off at the controls. Last September, separate footage showed another operator appearing to sleep while driving through the Sunset Tunnel.
“I really hope the bus drivers are taking care of themselves and but also that SFMTA is taking care of their employees,” said San Francisco resident Jade Tu.
In response to fatigue concerns, the SFMTA stated that it “has increased random video reviews to ensure safe vehicle operation and allocated additional rest time on all operator shifts to proactively address fatigue.”
District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong called the crash “unacceptable to happen in our city” while attempting to reassure riders about the transit system’s overall safety.
“I understand this is concerning for people in the neighborhood… but at the same time this was a limited incident,” Wong said, noting he wants to determine whether the crash represents an isolated event or a systematic issue.
The operator involved in the collision has been placed on non-driving status. The SFMTA is continuing its investigation in coordination with the California Public Utilities Commission.
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